Tile Terminology: A–Z Glossary

Choosing and installing tiles can sometimes feel complicated, especially when you come across unfamiliar terms and technical language.

To make things easier, we’ve created this handy A–Z tile glossary explaining some of the most common words, phrases and terminology you may come across when choosing, ordering and installing your tiles.

Whether you’re a first-time DIYer, an experienced tiler or simply looking to learn more before starting your next project, our Tile Distro glossary is here to help.

A

Abrasion Resistance

A measure of how well a tile can withstand wear and tear caused by foot traffic and friction. This is particularly important when choosing floor tiles.

Absorption Rate

The amount of water a tile can absorb, usually expressed as a percentage. Tiles with lower water absorption rates are generally denser and more suitable for areas exposed to moisture.

Adhesive

A specially formulated product used to securely fix tiles to walls, floors and other suitable surfaces.

Anti-Slip Tile

A tile designed to provide increased grip underfoot. Anti-slip tiles are commonly used in bathrooms, kitchens, wet rooms and outdoor areas.

B

Bevelled Edge

A tile with edges that slope slightly away from the surface rather than forming a completely square edge. Bevelled edges are commonly seen on metro-style tiles.

Biscuit

The main body or base of a ceramic tile underneath its glazed surface.

Bowing

A slight curve or warp that can occur during the tile manufacturing process. A small degree of bowing can be normal, particularly with larger format and rectangular tiles.

Brick Bond

A popular tile laying pattern where each row of tiles is offset from the row above, creating a traditional brickwork appearance.

C

Ceramic Tile

A tile manufactured primarily from clay and fired at high temperatures. Ceramic tiles are commonly used on interior walls and floors.

Crackle Glaze

A decorative glazed finish featuring fine cracks across the tile surface, creating an aged or traditional appearance.

Crazing

Fine cracks that appear within the glazed surface of a tile.

Cure Time

The amount of time an adhesive, grout or other installation product needs to fully set and achieve its intended strength.

E

Encaustic Tile

A decorative tile where the pattern is created using different colours within the body or surface of the tile. Modern encaustic-effect tiles recreate this distinctive patterned appearance.

Epoxy Grout

A highly durable grout made using epoxy resin. It offers excellent resistance to water, staining and chemicals.

Expansion Joint

A specially designed joint that allows movement within a tiled surface, helping to prevent cracking caused by expansion and contraction.

F

Full-Bodied Porcelain

A porcelain tile where the colour and material continue throughout the entire thickness of the tile rather than only appearing on the surface.

G

Glazed Tile

A tile with a protective and decorative coating applied to its surface during manufacturing.

Grout

The material used to fill the joints and spaces between tiles after installation.

H

Honed Finish

A smooth, flat tile finish with little or no shine.

I

Inkjet Printing

Modern technology used to print highly detailed patterns and designs onto tiles. This allows manufacturers to create realistic marble, stone, concrete and wood-effect tiles.

L

Lappato Finish

A semi-polished tile finish where only part of the tile’s surface is polished, creating a combination of matt and reflective areas.

Large Format Tile

A term commonly used for larger tiles that cover a greater surface area and can help create a cleaner, more seamless appearance.

Lipping

When the edge of one installed tile sits slightly higher or lower than the tile next to it.

M

Matt Finish

A tile surface with little or no shine or light reflection.

Mitred Edge

A tile edge that has been cut at an angle, usually 45 degrees, allowing two tiles to meet neatly around an external corner.

Mosaic Tile

Small individual tiles mounted together, usually on a mesh backing, to make installation easier.

N

Nominal Size

The approximate size used to describe a tile. The actual manufactured dimensions may vary slightly.

P

PEI Rating

A rating system used to indicate how resistant a glazed tile surface is to wear and foot traffic.

Polished Finish

A highly smooth and reflective tile surface created through mechanical polishing.

Porcelain Tile

A dense and highly durable tile manufactured at high temperatures. Porcelain tiles generally have low water absorption and are suitable for a wide variety of wall and floor applications.

Pot Life

The amount of time an adhesive or grout remains workable after it has been mixed.

R

Rectified Tile

A tile that has been precisely cut after firing to create straight, consistent edges. Rectified tiles can usually be installed with narrower grout joints.

Riven Finish

A textured surface designed to resemble naturally split stone such as slate.

R Rating

A classification used to indicate the slip resistance of certain floor tiles. Higher R ratings generally indicate greater resistance to slipping.

S

Satin Finish

A tile finish with a subtle sheen that sits between matt and gloss.

Screed

A smooth layer of material applied over a floor base to create a suitable surface for flooring or tiles.

Sealant

A protective product applied to certain tiles, natural stone or grout to help reduce the absorption of water, dirt and stains.

Shade Variation

Natural or manufactured differences in colour, tone, pattern or texture between individual tiles.

Silicone

A flexible waterproof sealant commonly used around baths, showers, sinks and other areas where tiled surfaces meet sanitaryware.

Spacers

Small plastic pieces used during installation to create consistent gaps between tiles.

Splashback

A tiled or otherwise protected area behind a sink, basin or cooker designed to protect the wall from water, grease and other splashes.

Substrate

The surface or structure onto which tiles are installed, such as concrete, plaster or tile backer board.

T

Tanking

The process of waterproofing a surface before tiles are installed. Tanking is particularly important in showers and wet rooms.

Tile Density

A measure influenced by the materials and manufacturing process used to produce a tile. Denser tiles are generally stronger and absorb less water.

Tile Trim

A finishing product used to protect and create a neat appearance around exposed tile edges and corners.

Tolerance

The acceptable amount of variation in the size, shape or flatness of manufactured tiles.

Tumbled Finish

A manufacturing process used to create softer, worn-looking edges and surfaces, giving tiles an aged or traditional appearance.

U

Upstand

A short vertical section of tiles installed above a worktop, floor or other surface to protect the adjoining wall.

V

Vitrified Tile

A highly dense tile with very low water absorption, created through a high-temperature manufacturing process.

W

Wall Tile

A tile designed specifically for installation on walls. Not all wall tiles are suitable for use on floors.

Water Absorption

The amount of water a tile absorbs compared with its dry weight.

Wet Room

A fully waterproofed bathroom or shower area where the floor is designed to direct water towards a built-in drain.

Still Unsure?

Choosing the right tiles and products for your project doesn’t need to be complicated.

If you come across a term you don’t understand or need help choosing the right product for your project, contact the Tile Distro team and we’ll be happy to help.